Update On Petition For Release Filed At Northwest Detention Center In Tacoma

By Lauren Gallup

Israel Arrascue’s petition for release from the Northwest Detention in Tacoma was denied last week.

Maru Mora-Villapando of La Resistencia, says they received an email that the petition was denied, but no reason why.

Over text message, Mora-Villapando says La Resistencia will mobilize other groups towards this effort.

ICE officials provided the following statement on this decision to NWPB:

“Arrascue-Pedreros has filed a petition for release through prosecutorial discretion, which ICE exercises under guidance issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to prioritize immigration enforcement actions focused on national security, public safety, and border security. A federal immigration judge determined Arrascue-Pedreros poses a danger to the community and denied him bond or conditional release. Prosecutorial discretion does not replace or negate decisions made by an immigration judge. ICE considered the totality of the circumstances in the individual case and accordingly denied the petition for release through prosecutorial discretion.”

According to ICE, Arrascue was detained at the detention center after serving jail time for “communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, and patronizing a prostitute,” after agreeing to make payments for sexual intercourse with a 16-year old postitute, who was actually an undercover police officer.